Optometrist Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $67.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Waterbury, CT runs $67.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,382 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, CT, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists is $67.61, slightly above the national median of $67.60. This rate provides a competitive wage for part-time and per-diem professionals who usually work in settings like retail optical chains, private optometry offices, or educational clinics. Part-time optometrists can work a three-day week, easily translating their hourly rate into substantial earnings over their schedule. Those entering the field may start with lower figures around $46.12, while seasoned professionals with greater experience may earn up to $106.17 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a stable demand for eye care services in the area.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.12 | $368.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.28 | $522.21 |
| Median (P50) | $67.61 | $540.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.35 | $618.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.17 | $849.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $67.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.61/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $140,637 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,137. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,704.55 | $11,720 | $140,637 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,622.73 | $7,032 | $84,382 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,081.82 | $4,688 | $56,255 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Waterbury) | $67.61 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $140,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.01% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.30% below the Connecticut state average of $151,708.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.61/hr = $84,382/year (purchasing power: $84,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,637/year (purchasing power: $140,950).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$78.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-11.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Waterbury grew -16.1% from $78.26/hr (2019) to $65.67/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.62/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Waterbury
When considering part-time roles, an optometrist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could earn a gross income that equates to about $84,000 annually, offering an attractive option alongside full-time commitments. Per diem optometrists, depending on their practice setting, typically charge between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, and can bill as high as $1,200 daily in specialty practice or hospital environments. Hourly pay can substantially vary depending on whether the optometrist is working in a private practice, a corporate retail chain, or a hospital setting. For instance, those in solo practices may receive lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others may choose higher hourly rates without benefits. For those negotiating their pay in Waterbury, emphasizing experience and specialty training, such as residency training in ocular disease, can provide a pivotal advantage in salary discussions.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Waterbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov